|
In Colorado, climate change is increasing the stress on hundreds of dams across the state, 27 of which are already classified as “high-hazard.” These structures are near people, and hold both water and mining waste. Beginning on January 1, 2020, Colorado is instating new rules to plan for and mitigate the effects of increasing temperature and atmospheric moisture, as well as intensity in weather.
Through innovative modeling, experts are changing the way they assess the safety of Colorado's dams based on new threats posed by climate change. “In the past, we assumed a stationary climate. The methods that we used to determine rainfall were all backward-looking, at historic storms. Now it doesn’t seem that is the smartest way to do it anymore. Since we have this changing climate, we have the potential of getting behind. We have to change, find ways to look forward,” said Bill McCormick, Colorado dam safety director.
The new planning rules will be necessary to avoid a catastrophic dam failure in the future. This is an example of government agencies incorporating climate change into management planning to protect the health and safety of communities and being aware of the increasing risks caused by climate change.
|
As indigenous people, our identity is interconnected to the land, to the water and to the animals. And our identity is not up for negotiation — it's not for sale. We're simply trying to survive. So we're doing everything we can — from corporate, to Congress to the United Nations.”
